18 years of Geet from ‘Jab We Met’: The girl who taught us to love ourselves
It’s been eighteen years since Jab We Met first graced our screens, yet the memory of Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor, remains as vivid as ever. Cheerful, bold, and unapologetically herself, Geet was more than just a “bubbly” heroine, she was a revolution in celluloid, a bright sunflower spreading warmth wherever she went. For many, she became the ultimate comfort character: a reminder that even in chaos, a smile can be your fiercest weapon.
Geet taught an entire generation that self-love isn’t just a trend, it’s a way of life. Way before social media influencers popularized the idea, Geet was already living it. Sheran away from home to chase love, walked out of a toxic relationship, trusted a stranger, and navigated life on her own terms. She reminded us that listening to our inner voice and following our hearts can change everything.Aditya (Shahid Kapoor), on the other hand, begins as a familiar archetype: a rich, depressed man lost in the fog of life. Yet, it is Geet who helps him find his path, proving that her influence goes beyond laughter and romance, she inspires transformation.
Even the music of Jab We Met has left an indelible mark. The song Tum Se Hi, with its poetic lines, still resonates with audiences today: Na hai yeh pana, Na khona hi hai, Tera na hona jaane, Kyun hona hi hai…Her character marked a turning point in Bollywood storytelling. Geet inspired filmmakers to give heroines more than just charm, they deserved depth, growth, and agency. Imtiaz Ali, who penned Jab We Met, later brought this sensibility to Highway, with Alia Bhatt’s Veera on a journey of self-discovery.
Kareena Kapoor’s performance went beyond the “bubbly heroine” trope. Unlike many Bollywood love stories where heroines are mere objects of desire, Geet was complex. Beneath her cheerful chatter, she hid insecurities, dreams, and fears. Imtiaz Ali, inspired by one of his classmates, crafted a character whose exuberance never overshadowed her depth.
Every word seems to capture the essence of the film itself, the interplay of presence and absence, joy and longing, love and self-discovery